2011-11-15 #WikiLeaks News: Julian #Assange files for appeal, #Cablegate News, introducing a New Feature

A prosecution of Julian Assange for the WikiLeaks publication of secret diplomatic cables would be the worst thing for the press since the Pentagon Papers. - James C. Goodale

This is a "WikiLeaks News Update", a news update of stories relating directly to WikiLeaks and also freedom of information, transparency, cybersecurity, and freedom of expression.


Today Julian Assange’s legal team filed an application to have his extradition case taken to the Supreme Court, based on the following points:

1) Whether a European Arrest Warrant issued by a partisan prosecutor working for the executive (i.e. not an independent judge or investigating magistrate in the civil law system) is a valid Part 1 Warrant issued by a "judicial authority" within the meaning of sections 2(2) & 66 of the Extradition Act 2003?
This point argues that the decision goes against parliamentary intent in the 2003 Extradition Act (see SwedenVsAssange).

2) Whether a person in respect of whom no decision to prosecute has been taken can be said to be ’accused’ within the meaning of sections 2(3)(a) of the Extradition Act 2003?

On December 5, in a public hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice (London), the High Court will decide whether these two points are 'of general public importance'. If that is considered to be the case, the appeal will then proceed to the Supreme Court.

On November 24 the UK Parliament will debate the extradition of Julian Assange, among other cases. If you live in the UK, contact your MP on the subject ahead of November 24.

Prior to the appeal being lodged today, both Swedish and British media erroneously reported Julian Assange would not appeal the High Court’s decision, therefore it’s worth reminding readers only WikiLeaks and Sweden vs. Assange provide reliable information on this case.

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Cablegate News

• Confronted by der Spiegel with a cable detailing his compliance with United States’ interests, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano declared it was 'not necessarily a disadvantage' if the U.S. believed his strategy was in line with its interests. via IRNA

• Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia created a Cablegate search engine for U.S. State Department cables from the country.

• Post-war challenges in Sri Lanka are the topic of a diplomatic cable dated October 30, 2009 published by WikiLeaks. In it, Patricia A. Butenis, then US Ambassador to Colombo (Sri Lanka) noted

"Most outside, neutral observers privately agree that the GSL could have finished off the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) more quickly if they had been willing to risk a higher level of civilian casualties." [via Colombo Telegraph]

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Introducing the WikiLeaks' events calendar: with the purpose of facilitating supporters' participation in action campaigns for WikiLeaks, Julian Assange and Bradley Manning, sharing of information and also that of simply conveying information in a clearer, more concise, more organized way.
The calendar and a list of links to the events therein referenced, ordered by date, will be regularly updated.

November 14 to November 18: a Call-in to The White House and Military to Demand UN Access to Bradley Manning is happening this week.
The first two contacts, whose phone lines are to be flooded with calls demanding the authorization of a UN visit to Bradley Manning are:
* Secretary of the Army Public Affairs Officer Lt. Anne Edgecomb: 703-697-3491
[email: Anne.edgecomb@us.army.mil]
* Army Chief of Staff Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col Alayne Conway: 703-693-4961
[email: Alayne.conway@us.army.mil]
More information at bradleymanning.org

November 17: Led by Christine Assange, Julian Assange's mother, an antiwar protest, also against Julian's extradition and U.S. government’s measures against WikiLeaks will occur in front of the Parliament House in Canberra on the occasion of US President Obama's visit to Australia. Please join.
Know more about this protest.

November 17: whistleblower Rudolf Elmer's appeal hearing will take place. Prosecution requests 'convicted on all charges' verdict and increased sentence.

Before November 24: the UK Parliament will, on November 24 debate the extradition of Julian Assange, among other cases. If you live in the UK, write your MP on the subject ahead of this debate. Here’s how. (All details about this case at Sweden vs. Assange)

November 28: a new WikiLeaks online submission system is to be launched.

November 28: Julian Assange and Kristinn Hrafnsson debate the topic The WikiLeaks effect: the rebirth of investigative journalism at the GEN News World Summit (Hong Kong).

November 29: Channel 4 airs new special ‘WikiLeaks: Secrets and Lies’.

December 5: Public hearing for Julian Assange’s appeal at the Royal Courts of Justice (London).

December 17: Vigil for Bradley Manning on his 24th Birthday:
Saturday, December 17 · 12:00am - 11:30pm
[For more details, see Vigil for Bradley Manning on his 24th Birthday's facebook page.]
Send small gifts and birthday cards to the following address

Bradley Manning 89289
830 Sabalu Road
Fort Leavenworth, KS 6602

Other action campaigns in support of WikiLeaks/Julian Assange

• If you live in Australia: click here to complain to the ACCC (Australian Competition & Consumer Commission) about the Banking Blockade against WikiLeaks.

• Various call to action and petitioning draft letters addressed to European organizations and Members of the European Parliament requesting action over the unjust treatment of Julian Assange in the context of the Swedish Prosecution Authority vs. Assange case have been compiled into a useful resource.
  Please take the time to read and send these letters, or to compose your own, and demand justice for Julian Assange and others affected by the same legislations and procedures.
  
  

• Online Human Rights petition demanding Julian Assange be protected by the Australian Parliament from extradition to the United States.

Julian Assange has been under house arrest for 344 days without having being charged of a crime.
Bradley Manning has spent 561 days detained without trial.
A Fair Trials International campaign was launched to end pre-trial detention within the EU. Fair Trials International also advocate the reform of the European Arrest Warrant.